R&D

Research & Development

Samsung SDI is creating a new future through change and innovation.
As a world-class material and energy solution provider, Samsung SDI secures new technologies and boosts technology competitiveness through steady investment in R&D. In addition, by expanding our business into the cutting-edge materials and parts business, Samsung SDI is now making a leap forward to the company specialized not just in the field of materials such as IT, Li-ion batteries and electronic materials, but also in the field of energy. We will do our best to secure global technical leadership, focusing on the future energy business together with materials technology.

How do wecreate value?

R&D Investments

Samsung SDI enhances its competitive edge through a continuous investment in R&D. In 2014, the investment cost for R&D was KRW 620,517 million, which accounts for 7.39% of sales.

Samsung SDI has around 2,300 R&D experts and the percentage of R&D employees with a Master’s and/or Ph.D. degree is 39%. In order to strengthen the ability of R&D workforce, Samsung SDI operates a learning group where employees share their experience and knowledge. To nurture the global talents, in addition, the company has increased its support through various systems including academic training, in-house technology college, locally-led global talent nurturing center, the operation of a global educational portal, and dissemination of excellent educational contents.

Divisional R&D

Battery

Establishing Materials R&D Center’s Mid/long-term Strategies

Samsung SDI has established and has been operating mid/long-term strategies in order to secure product leadership. Based on established strategies, Samsung SDI plans to structure the scientific technology-HR management system built on big data to establish a ‘Strong and Lively R&D Center’.

Strengthening R&D Partnership

In order to take a lead in the ever-changing technology and market environment, Samsung SDI has been strengthening its R&D partnership. Samsung SDI conducts joint R&D projects with domestic/ international universities and research institutes, to develop forward-looking element technologies and commercialize them. In addition, the company expands its overseas R&D locations to structure a system where, all pro­cesses from development to completion can be taken care of locally. At the same time, Samsung SDI concentrates on technologies such as cutting-edge battery materials at the ‘Samsung Material Research Complex’ while collaborating with other affiliated companies located in the complex to generate synergy.

Strengthening R&D in Li-ion Battery Material

Recently, the core of Li-ion battery market has moved from small-sized Li-ion bat­teries to medium-to-large Li-ion batteries, including automotive Li-ion batteries and ESS. As it is becoming more important to increase the driving range while charging electric vehicles, and to secure competitiveness in system solutions, Samsung SDI focuses on developing technologies that can overcome limitations of the current materials. As more devices are using Li-ion batteries, and the competition amongst companies intensifies, the company is increasing research and development on up­grading existing materials and new materials with high-capacity to maximize usage time of applications and reduce charging time of Li-ion batteries

Acquiring various flexible battery technology

In these days, interest in wearable devices is getting higher. Recent innovations in healthcare band, smartwatch, and glass help us to see the growth potential of the flexible battery. In November 2014, Samsung SDI unveiled world’s first flexible battery which is not only bendable but also rollable. Applying our own technology - flexible structure design and material technology, our flexible battery is so durable that it still works after going through tens of thousands of bending test. We now focus on improving the technology maturity in order to apply to various kinds of wearable devices.

Materials

Electronic Materials

Samsung SDI strives to develop core materials of cutting-edge IT products - such as semiconductors, displays, new energy solutions - in a timely manner. We are especially focusing on securing the technology quality in pursuit of development of competitive products. In 2014, we developed high-efficiency electrode pastes, evaporation materials for OLED allow longevity and high efficiency, next-generation CR materials enable high-resolution. We aim to lead both the present market and the next-generation core material market, through developing OLED materials, highly advanced polarization films, and high-brightness CR.

Konzession

Creating synergy for Intellectual Property
Samsung SDI has built a foundation to demonstrate synergy with patents not only in the field of battery materials but also in the field of future energy materials. In particular, we are pioneering potential business fields by finding competitive patents through intensive support for major challenges in the next-generation battery and materials fields. Samsung SDI filed 59,498 patents in the first quarter of 2015, maintaining 14,668 registered patents. Especially, we have secured 8,329 registered patents in major markets such as the US, Europe, and China, and are strengthening our responsiveness in the global market.

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